Man remanded after allegedly spitting at police officer
The accused was drunk and aggressive towards the police officer during arrest
A 31-year-old was arraigned in court on Tuesday after he spat at a police officer, insulted and disobeyed him during arrest.
Mohamed Ibrahim Haruun, a 31-year-old Ħal Far resident, was charged in court for violently resisting and insulting a police officer, breaching public peace, and being intoxicated and unable to take care of himself.
He was also charged with recidivism and committing a criminal offence while on conditional release.
Police inspector Pierguido Saliba told the court how, on June 1 at 4.30am, police received a report that a man was attempting a theft in a shop in St Julian’s.
When the police arrived on site, they found Ibrahim Haruun on site, and a police inspector approached him, stopping him from attempting the crime.
Saliba said that when the police inspector approached him, the accused became aggressive and started waving his hands in front of the inspector’s face. The inspector moved him closer to the police van and tried to inform the accused of his rights.
Yet, the accused continued to be aggressive and swear at the officer, which led him to be handcuffed.
Again, the officer tried to tell the accused his rights and why he was being arrested.
The accused continued to swear at him and spat “straight into the mouth of the officer”.
The court heard how the accused was drunk and could not take care of himself.
He was remanded in custody and at 7.15am on Tuesday, his statement was taken.
Standing in court on Tuesday in a yellow top and red shorts, the 31-year-old first pleaded guilty.
“I drank too much, and I did something bad I know,” he told the court.
Magistrate Ingrid Bianco told the accused to think carefully about pleading guilty, as his crime could lead him to four years' imprisonment.
After speaking to his lawyer, he changed his plea to not guilty. Bail was not requested and he was remanded in custody.
Inspector Pierguido Saliba prosecuted.